In NYC, the New Year’s Eve show must go on — even as COVID-19 cases rise
The COVID-19 omicron variant has caused canceled flights, travel bans and more. But one thing it hasn't stopped? The annual Times Square New Year's Eve ball drop -- and the show will go on.
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As New York City ushers in a new year, issues from the previous 365 days, like omicron, remain. COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the Big Apple and "shatter" records statewide. However, the city still plans to bring thousands of revelers to Times Square to bid goodbye to 2021 and hello to 2022.
The city had initially planned for an all-out extravaganza of fully vaccinated revelers -- in previous years, over one million people have attended the event. Now, just 15,000 vaccinated and masked spectators will be allowed to view the ball drop.
Revelers five years old or over must present proof of a COVID-19 vaccination approved by the FDA or World Health Organization to enter. People unable to be vaccinated because of a disability must show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before the event, and they’ll also be required to wear a mask.
And if you do plan to go to Times Square, you may have to wait a while for things to open. Visitors won’t be allowed entry until 3 p.m., much later than in previous years when revelers would arrive in the early morning to reserve a spot.
As the omicron variant spreads across the U.S., driving up positive cases and straining hospital systems, other large cities have canceled or scaled back their New Year's Eve festivities. Atlanta's annual Peach Drop is again canceled due to rising COVID-19 figures in the city. Seattle is going ahead with its New Year's Eve celebration at the Space Needle but has discouraged revelers.
Outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio has resisted calls to cancel the event in New York City.
“We want to show that we’re moving forward, and we want to show the world that New York City is fighting our way through this,” de Blasio said on Dec. 30 on the “Today” show. “It’s really important to not give up in the face of this.” Incoming mayor Eric Adams is scheduled to be sworn in just after midnight in Times Square.
There are concerns that a large celebration, even outdoors, could worsen the COVID-19 situation in the city. Despite 72% of New Yorkers being fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, a whopping 41,000 people tested positive for the virus on Dec. 30 alone, according to a New York Times tracker.
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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
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- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
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- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
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- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees